The US ranks as one of the most religious nations among industrialized countries, but that may be changing. A Pew survey released last October showed that one-fifth of American adults say they don’t identify with any religion. Among young people under 30, nearly a third say they are religiously unaffiliated. And, these numbers appear to be on the rise.

Is this evidence that America is becoming a secular nation, or is this simply a temporary trend? This week on Intersection, we’ll take a look at the rise of the religiously unaffiliated.

Getting a gift for everyone on your list can bring plenty of happiness but also a little frustration. Today we explore the impact and challenges of gift-giving -- not just as a holiday tradition but also as a part of the human condition.

_A growing body of research is looking into the connections between spirituality and the functioning of the human brain. Our panelists take us on a journey into the deep recesses of the religious mind in hopes of answering some key questions: Is there a part of the brain that’s responsible for making people religious? Or is it the other way around, with spirituality affecting the way the brain operates?

_Panelists:John Baker, executive director of the Community Foundation of Central Missouri and former pastor at First Baptist Church in ColumbiaDaniel Cohen, teaching assistant professor in the MU Department of Religious StudiesBrick Johnstone, professor of health psychology in the MU School of Health ProfessionsAndrew Newberg, neuroscientist and author of the book "Principles of Neurotheology" (joining the program by phone)

_With the holidays at hand, many of us will take time to appreciate and reflect on what we have. But what does it mean to be truly grateful in the modern world? How can parents instill a sense of gratitude in their children? And how do expressions of gratitude affect each of us as an individual and as a community?

Panelists:John Battaglia, pastor of the Christian Chapel ChurchRobert Johnson, professor of philosophy at the University of MissouriSharon Dunski Vermont, pediatrician and author of "The Gratitude Experiment"_

The Harry Potter books and movies have captivated audiences around the world for more than a decade. With the final installment of the Harry Potter films out this summer, panelists discuss how all that witchcraft fits into the context of more mainstream religious traditions.

Panelists:Signe Cohen, associate professor and director of graduate studies, MU Department of Religious StudiesRick Cotner, member of Calvary Episcopal Church who led the church’s adult forums on Harry Potter and religion

How much of what we do is by choice, what philosophers and theologians call “free will”? And how much can be attributed to the unconscious workings of our brains? Can brain scans, such as functional MRIs, show what is happening in the brain? Can they predict violent criminal behavior - and if so, should they be admissible in legal proceedings? In advance of a symposium on the topic next weekend at MU, we invited a few experts to help explain how advanced study of the brain intersects with our humanity.

Panelists:Phil Robbins, University of Missouri associate professor of philosophy and co-chair of the Life Sciences and Society Symposium planning committeeInes Segert, University of Missouri professor of psychologyJim Fallon, professor of anatomy and neurobiology, University of California-Irvine (joining by phone)

As the national political struggle continues over who should be allowed to marry, the number of couples saying “I Do” has been on the decline for the past 20 years. In celebration of Valentine’s Day our panelists address the question: How healthy is the state of marriage in our modern world? And, if it's really important to us as a society to support the institution of marriage, then what could be done to strengthen the individual unions across the land?

Panelists:Tyler Jamison, doctoral student, MU Department of Human Development and Family StudiesSusan Murray, psychologist and clinical director of MorningStar Counseling CenterSteve Swope, pastor, Columbia United Church of Christ

A string of recent suicides has prompted nationwide concern over bullying of gay teens. In this discussion, we explore what the climate is like for gay teenagers growing up here in mid-Missouri.

Panelists:Christy Hutton, therapist who works with LGBT college students in ColumbiaMegan Lee, board member for Prism, a group that supports LGBTQ youth in mid-MissouriYuki White, Moberly Area Community College student who grew up in Columbia and experienced bullying in middle and high schoolDan Savage, Seattle-based syndicated columnist and creator of the "It Gets Better" video project (joining the program by phone)Richard Blount, founder of Open Door Ministries (joining the program by phone, not pictured)

Between now and the year 2025, Missouri's senior population is expected to rise from about one in every seven residents to about one of every five. Panelists discuss new approaches to meeting the needs of seniors in mid-Missouri. They also address what you can do to prepare for your own future.

PanelistsJean Leonatti, executive director, Central Missouri Area Agency on AgingMarilyn Rantz, professor of nursing, University of MissouriKeith Knapp, CEO of Christian Care Communities, a not-for-profit organization based in Louisville, Kentucky (joining the program by phone)